Becoming a Sailor

Becoming a Sailor

More Than a Decade Afloat • Raising Sailors • Stories from SV Aphrodite

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Category: Preparing for Cruising Life

Preparing for Cruising Life begins right from the start when we thought about buying a boat, and living afloat seemed like a dream. This category describes the moving parts we lashed together to pack up our house, learn to sail, shop for a bluewater catamaran, refit our St Francis 50, and launch our family circumnavigation adventure.

Photo of Escher kids on SV Aphrodite on the Ultraleather saloon cushions after slightly less than two years of use.
November 23, 2025July 22, 2026Lorraine Escher

Ultraleather Boat Upholstery: Our Honest 9-Year Review

Our move from house to sailboat began with a roadtrip. Here is a photo of our kids running along the beach of Lake Superior with a banner of our tent and van with the text The Road Trip that Changed Everything, referring to the 60 day camping trip we took the summer before we bought our St. Francis 50 catamaran, SV Aphrodite.
January 1, 2024July 22, 2026Lorraine Escher

From House to Sailboat: How a Family Road Trip Changed Us

Malaria prevention for sailors: as arranged at Guardian Pharmacy, Savusavu, Fiji.
June 12, 2023July 25, 2026Lorraine Escher

Malaria Prevention for Sailors: Getting the Right Medication

November 1, 2016August 14, 2026Lorraine Escher

Eye Doctor in the Dominican Republic: Betty Gets Glasses

September 3, 2016August 13, 2026Lorraine Escher

Sailing Life Culture Shock: Questioning the Dream

June 28, 2016July 17, 2026Lorraine Escher

Sailing with Kids: Our First Year Cruising as a Family of Six

Beginner Sailor Departure Checklist: Photo taken under red lights to preserve our night vision on an evening departure
May 25, 2016August 5, 2026Lorraine Escher

Beginner Sailor Departure Checklist: Leaving an Anchorage

Moving aboard a sailboat: A composite image that includes four checklists I created after moving from a house to a sailboat as a family of six from Canada.
December 28, 2015August 7, 2026Lorraine Escher

Moving Aboard a Sailboat: The 4 Checklists We Wish We’d Had

Offshore Medical Kit List
December 15, 2015August 9, 2026Lorraine Escher

Offshore Medical Kit List: What We Used After 10 Years

International Medical Insurance Feature Image
December 10, 2015August 10, 2026Lorraine Escher

International Medical Insurance for a Sailing Family

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